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Abstract:

The present invention relates to a method of transferring an image of a
mobile telephony device named transmitter (T) to another mobile telephony
device named receiver (R), the method comprising of step (1) for the
preparation of the transfer in which the user selects an image (P) stored
in a memory of the transmitter (T), a receiver (R) is selected after a
searching phase and a radio frequency communication is established
between the transmitter and the receiver, step (3) of validation of this
transfer by the user and step (2) of effective transfer of the selected
image (P) in which begins the effective transfer of the image. The method
is characterized in that the said step (2) of effective transfer of the
selected image (P) follows step (1) of preparation of the transfer of
this image (P) and is prior to step (3) of validation of the transfer by
the user.
The present invention also relates to an image transfer system, a mobile
telephony device and a computer program.

Claims:

1. A method for transferring an image of a mobile telephony device named
transmitter (T) to another mobile telephony device named receiver (R),
the method comprising of step (1) for the preparation of the transfer in
which the user selects an image (P) stored in a memory of the transmitter
(T), a receiver (R) is selected after a searching phase and a radio
frequency communication is established between the transmitter and the
receiver, step (3) of validation of this transfer by the user and step
(2) of effective transfer of the selected image (P) in which the
effective transfer of the image begins, characterized in that the said
step (2) of effective transfer of the selected image (P) follows step (1)
of preparation of the transfer of this image (P) and is prior to step (3)
of validation of the transfer by the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein during the step of validation
of the transfer by the user, a command (C) is transmitted by the
transmitter to the receiver, the said command triggering on one hand, the
execution of the instructions of a first program (P1) resident in a
memory of the transmitter and, on the other hand, synchronously the
execution of the instructions of a second program (P2) resident in a
memory of the receiver, the said instructions defining an animation that
is displayed on the screen of the transmitter and on the screen of the
receiver, synchronously.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the instructions of first and
second programs (P1, P2) define an animation that consists in displaying
the selected image (P) on the screen (EE) of the transmitter (T), then
making the image displayed on this screen (EE) disappear, gradually and
according to a determined direction, and progressively displaying,
gradually and according to the said given direction, on the screen (ER)
of the receiver (R) the parts of the selected image (P) which are no
longer displayed on the screen (EE) of the transmitter (T).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the direction is determined
by the relative geographical position of the transmitter (T) and the
receiver (R).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the relative geographical
position is obtained by updating an initial position determined by
pairing the transmitter (T) and receiver (R).

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the update of the initial
position depends on the measures taken by the receiver, measures being
sent periodically to the transmitter.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, wherein the
user validates the transfer of the selected image (P) by a sliding touch
on the screen (EE) of the transmitter (T), then tactile.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the screen (EE) of the
transmitter (T) displays an indication of a direction in which the user
must perform the sliding action to validate the transfer of the image
selected (P).

9. A system for transferring an image from a mobile telephony device
named transmitter (T) to another mobile telephony device named receiver
(R), the transmitter (T) having a memory (M) for storing at least one
image. means for preparing the transfer of an image, means for validating
the transfer of an image, and means for actually achieving the transfer
of an image, characterized in that the transmitter (T) comprises means
for triggering the beginning of the effective transfer of an image
following the preparation of the transfer of this image and prior to the
validation of this transfer by the user.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the transmitter (T)
comprises a screen (T), preferably tactile and a memory (M) which stores
the instructions of a first program (P1), the receiver (R) comprises a
memory (M) which stores the instructions of a second program (P2), and
the transmitter (T) is provided for emitting a command (C) to the
receiver (R), the said command (C) triggering, on the one hand, the
execution of the instructions of the first program (P1) and, on the other
hand, synchronously the instructions of the instructions of the second
program (P2), the said instructions of the first and second programs
defining an animation that is displayed on the screen of the transmitter
(T) and on the screen of the receiver (R) synchronously.

11. A mobile telephony device comprising means for implementing telephony
functionalities and a tactile screen, characterized in that it comprises
the means of the transmitter (T) and/or the means of the receiver (R) of
a system according to claim 9.

12. A computer program (Pr) stored on an information carrier,
characterized in that it comprises instructions for implementing the
method according to claim 1, when loaded and executed by a device
according to claim 11.

Description:

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for
transferring an image from a mobile telephony device named transmitter to
another mobile telephony device named receiver.

[0002] Methods for transferring an image between two mobile telephony
devices are known. These methods include a step of preparation of the
transfer, a step of validation of this transfer by the user and a step of
effective transfer of the image.

[0003] During the preparation step of the transfer, from the transmitter
side, an image is selected by the user and the transmitter launches a
searching phase for mobile telephony devices within its reach. For this,
it is common that the transmitter emits a specific frame of a radio
frequency signal to which every mobile telephony device that receives
this frame responds. The transmitter then establishes a list of devices
that responded to the transmission of this specific frame and offers the
user to select the receiving device from this list. Once done, the
transmitter and the selected receiver establish a radio frequency
communication between them to transfer the image.

[0004] Once the transfer is prepared, the user validates the effective
transfer of the image and the actual transfer of the image is performed.
An indication displayed on the screen of the emitting device may then
inform the user of the progress of the effective transfer of the image to
the receiving device.

[0005] The actual period of the transfer of an image by radio frequency
path is generally quite long because of the amount of data to be
transferred and available bandwidth at time of transfer is often very
low.

[0006] Users very often get then impatient while watching the indication
of effective transfer that is displayed on the screen of their device and
often cancel a transfer in progress. Therefore, these same users use this
type of transfer very little because they find this way of image transfer
too laborious.

[0007] The problem, solved by this invention, is to transfer an image
between two mobile telephony devices in a way that gives the user the
illusion that the effective transfer of the image between these devices
is fast.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a method of
transferring an image from a mobile telephony device named transmitter to
another mobile telephony device named receiver, the method comprising a
step of preparation of the transfer during which the user selects an
image stored in the memory of the transmitter, a receiver is selected
following a searching phase and a radio frequency communication is
established between the transmitter and the receiver, a step of
validation of the transfer by the user and a step of effective transfer
of the selected image during which the effective transfer of the image
begins. The method is characterized in that the said step of effective
transfer of the selected image follows the step of preparation of the
image transfer and is prior to the step of validation of the transfer by
the user.

[0009] Thus, the effective transfer of the image begins when a
communication is established between the two devices instead of the
methods of the prior art that are waiting for the user to validate this
transfer through a graphical interface to start this effective transfer.

[0010] The time taken to present to the user the request for validation of
the transfer added to that of user reflection before deciding to validate
the transfer of the image, thus, is used, according to the present
invention to effectively transfer the selected image. The method can thus
give the user the illusion that the transfer is fast compared to the
methods of the prior art by the fact that the launch of the transfer of
the image is systematic in contrast to that of the methods of the prior
art.

[0011] In another aspect, during the step of validation of the transfer by
the user, a command is transmitted by the transmitter to the receiver,
the said command triggering, on one hand, the execution of instructions
of a first program resident in a memory of the transmitter and, on the
other hand, synchronously executing the instructions of a second program
resident in a memory of the receiver, the said instructions defining an
animation that is displayed on the screen of the transmitter and on the
screen of the receiver synchronously.

[0012] Sending such a command allows an attractive animation to be played
simultaneously on the screens of both devices. This short animation
amplifies the illusion that the effective transfer of the image is very
fast.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the instructions of the first and
second programs define an animation that comprises displaying the
selected image on the screen of the transmitter, then making the display
of the image on this screen disappear, gradually and according to a
determined direction, and progressively displaying, gradually and
according to the said determined direction, on the screen of the
receiver, the parts of the selected image that are no longer displayed on
the screen of the transmitter.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the direction is determined by the
relative geographical position of the transmitter and the receiver.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the relative geographical position is
obtained by updating an initial position determined by pairing the
transmitter and the receiver.

[0016] According to one embodiment, updating the initial position is based
on the measures taken by the receiver, measures being sent periodically
to the transmitter.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the user validates the transfer of the
image selected by a sliding touch on the screen of the transmitter, then
tactile.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the display of the transmitter
includes an indication of a direction in which the user must perform the
sliding action to validate the transfer of the selected image.

[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for
transferring an image from a mobile telephony device named transmitter to
another mobile telephony device named receiver, the transmitter
comprising a memory for storing at least one image, means for preparing
the transfer of an image, means for validating the transfer of an image,
and means for effectively performing the transfer of an image. The system
is characterized in that the transmitter comprises means for triggering
the beginning of the effective transfer of an image following the
preparation of the transfer of this image and prior to the validation of
this transfer by the user.

[0020] According to another aspect of the system, the transmitter
comprises a screen, preferably tactile, a memory that stores the
instructions of a first program, the receiver comprises a memory that
stores the instructions of a second program, and the transmitter is
provided for transmitting a command to the receiver, the said control
triggering on one hand, the execution of the instructions of the first
program and on the other hand, synchronously the execution of the
instructions of the second program, the said instructions of the first
and second programs defining an animation that is displayed on the screen
of the transmitter and on the screen of the receiver synchronously.

[0021] In another aspect, this invention relates to a mobile telephony
device having means to implement telephony functionality and a tactile
screen. The device is characterized in that it comprises the means of the
transmitter and the means of the receiver of a system above.

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention concerns a computer
program stored on an information support medium, characterized in that it
contains instructions for implementing a process as above, when loaded
and performed by a mobile telephony device as above.

[0023] The aspects of the invention mentioned above, as well as others,
will become more apparent upon reading the following description of an
exemplary embodiment, the said description being given in connection with
the joint drawings, among which:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the process steps of transferring an
image of a mobile telephony device transmitter E to another mobile
telephony device receiver R.

[0025] The process starts with a step 1 of preparation of the transfer.
During this step 1, the user selects an image P stored in a memory of the
device E. During this step 1, a mobile telephony device R is selected
following a searching phase similar to that described in the
introduction. For this, the device E collects the responses received
following the transmission of a specific frame as described in the
introduction, and provides a list of devices for the user.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the response sent by a device has a
specific identifier that defines, for example, a range of particular
mobile telephony devices, and the list of devices within reach is then
filtered to only keep from this list the devices of which the answers
have this specific identifier.

[0027] The user selects then a telephony device R from this list of
devices, optionally filtered, and a radio frequency communication is
established between devices E and R, with which the step of preparation
of the transfer ends.

[0028] The method comprises a step 2 of effective transfer of the image P
in which the effective transfer of this image begins. According to the
present invention, this step 2 follows the step of preparation of the
transfer of the image P and is prior to a step 3 of validation of this
transfer by the user.

[0029] Thus, the effective transfer of the image P begins after the
preparation of the transfer of the image and prior to the validation of
this transfer by the user. According to one alternative, during step 2,
an indication I1 is displayed on the screen of the device E. This
indication informs the user that the transfer is being prepared. This
indication may, for example, be in the form of a page showing the image
P, a visual indicator showing the progress of the preparation of the
transfer and/or a flashing indicator or of a particular colour during the
preparation of the transfer. This indicator remains fixed or changes
colour when the preparation of the transfer is complete.

[0030] This alternative allows the user to wait for the duration of the
effective transfer of the underlying image P but the indications on the
indication I1 refer to the preparation of the transfer of the image P and
not to the effective transfer of this image. The user will have less
incentive to cancel this preparation of the current transfer, whereas
he/she is much more inclined to do so if the indication was informing the
user of the actual evolution of the transfer.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the duration of the indication display
I1 is determined so that the image P is effectively transferred in its
entirety at the end of step 2. For these purposes, the amount of data to
be transferred is limited to a maximum size (e.g. 8 Mb) defined according
to the bandwidth of the established communication between device E and
device R.

[0032] According to another aspect, step 2 is followed by a step 3 of
validation of the transfer by the user during which a command C is
transmitted by the device E to the device R. The command C triggers the
execution of the instructions of a program P1 resident in the memory of
the device E and synchronously triggers the execution of the instructions
of a program P2 resident in the memory of device R.

[0033] Instructions of programs P1 and P2 define an animation that is
displayed on the screen of the device E and on the screen of device R.
The animation can represent the image transfer and the display of the
animation on the screen of the device E is synchronized with the display
of this animation on the screen of the device R.

[0034] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of programs P1 and P2
that define an example of such an animation.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the instructions of programs P1 and
P2 define an animation that consists of displaying the selected image P
on the screen EE of the device E. No image is, therefore, displayed on
the screen ER of the device R. The animation then makes the display of
the image on the screen EE disappear, gradually and according to a
determined direction, and progressively displays, gradually and according
to the said predetermined direction, on the screen ER, the parts of the
image P that are no longer displayed on the screen EE. Such animation is
possible because the image P is therefore already transferred to the
device R.

[0036] The two progressions are synchronous with one another because the
synchronization triggers programs P1 and P2. At the end of this
animation, the image P is fully displayed on the screen ER while no image
is displayed on the screen EE.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the direction is determined by the
relative geographical position of the transmitting device and receiving
device.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the relative geographical position is
obtained by updating an initial position determined by the pairing of
device E and device R. Typically, this pairing is performed by placing
both devices E and R on each other.

[0039] According to one embodiment, updating the initial position is based
on measures taken by the receiving device, measures being sent
periodically to the transmitting device.

[0040] Indeed, by equipping the receiving device with a means to determine
its movement such as an accelerometer and a means for determining the
direction of this movement, such as a compass, the device R takes
measurements and can transmit to the device T, either these measures or a
direction of travel determined from these measures (if there is a
travel). Thus, from a common initial position, created by pairing the two
devices E and R, the device E can determine in which direction the device
R moved (or moves) from its initial position and thereby estimate the
geographical position of the device R with respect to its own, which may
be identical to the starting position but which may also have changed. In
this case, the current position of the device E can also be estimated by
taking measures. Thus, when the device E must determine the direction in
which the image P must disappear from the screen EE, the device E
determines a direction from measures or the direction it received from
the device R (and optionally any measures it took itself). This
direction, represented by an arrow to the right with a thick line on the
example of FIG. 2, corresponds to a straight line virtually connecting
the devices E and R. This determined direction is then transmitted to the
device R which uses it then to make appearing on its screen ER parts of
the image P that are no longer displayed on the screen EE according to
this direction (in the example of FIG. 2, the progressive display of the
image is done from the left). The device E also communicates to the
device R the indications that define the parts of the image that are no
longer displayed on the screen EE. These indications can be ranges of
numbers that indicate the rows and columns of the image P which are no
longer displayed or conversely the rows and columns of image P that are
still displayed. These indications are obviously exchanged periodically
so that the animation displays remain synchronised between the two
screens EE and ER.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the user validates the transfer of the
image P by a touch sliding down on the screen EE, then tactile.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the screen EE displays an indication
of a direction in which the user must perform the sliding action to
validate the transfer of the image. This indication may be for example an
arrow and the touching/sliding action then consists of pressing the
screen, for example, with the user's finger and sliding the finger in the
indicated direction.

[0043] According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a system
S to transfer an image from on mobile telephony device named transmitter
E to another mobile telephony device named receiver R. This system S is
provided for implementing the method steps described in connection with
FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0044] The transmitter E comprises a memory M for storing at least one
image. It also comprises means for preparing the transfer of a stored
image to the receiver R. These means include means for selecting an image
P stored in the memory M, means for initiating a searching phase of
telephony devices within its reach, means for selecting a receiver R from
a list of mobile telephony devices obtained at the end of the searching
phase, and means for establishing a radio frequency communication with
the receiver R.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the transmitter E comprises means for
extracting, from a response transmitted by a mobile telephony device
during a searching phase, a specific identifier and means for forming a
list containing only the devices within its reach to which the response
includes the specific identifier.

[0046] The transmitter E also comprises means to validate the transfer of
an image, means to actually achieve the transfer of an image, and means
to trigger the start of the effective transfer of an image following the
preparation of the transfer of this image and prior to the validation of
this transfer by the user.

[0047] According to another aspect, the transmitter includes a memory that
stores the instructions of the program P1. The receiver R comprises a
memory which stores the instructions of the second program P2, and the
transmitter E is provided for transmitting a command C to the receiver R,
the said command C triggering, on one hand, the execution of the
instructions of the program P1 and on the other hand, synchronously the
execution of the instructions of the program P2.

[0048] The transmitter E comprises means for determining its geographical
position, that of the receiver R and a direction in which the receiver R
is from its relative position with the receiver R.

[0049] The transmitter E also comprises means for forming an indication
I1, to obtain an image or part of an image, and for executing an
animation defined by the instructions of programs P1 and P2.

[0050] It finally has a screen, preferably tactile EC, provided for
displaying an indication I1, an image or part of an image, a direction in
which the receiver R is and the animation when it is executed.

[0051] The receiver R comprises also means for forming and transmitting a
response during the searching phase. It further comprises means for
executing the instructions of program P2 so that the display of the
animation on the screen of the transmitter E is synchronized with the
display of the animation on the screen of the receiver R.

[0052] A mobile telephony device that can be sometimes the transmitter T,
sometimes the transmitter R, includes both the means of the transmitter E
and those of the transmitter R.

[0053] The means of the transmitter E and the receiver R can be either
implemented by a dedicated set of electronic components involving, inter
alia, a memory, a processor and optionally one or more logical functions.
These means may also be present in the form of instructions of a computer
program Pr defined to implement the steps of a method described in
connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, those instructions being stored in a
memory and executed by a processor.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a diagram of an embodiment of an architecture of a
mobile telephony device. This device A comprises a set of electronic
components that form a layer HW (hardware) represented in the upper part
of FIG. 3, and a stack SW (software layer) of protocol layers that allow
the implementation of the functions performed by the apparatus A and
software applications implemented on this device A (shown in the lower
part of FIG. 4).

[0055] At the layer HW, the device A includes a processor DBP, memory
modules M, for example such as SDRAM. This memory stores at least one
image, the instructions of the programs P1, P2 and Pr. The device A
further comprises at least one means of radio frequency communication
such as for example a RF module that handles communications such as GSM,
GPRS and/or EDGE, a BLUE module that handles Bluetooth communications, a
GPS module for satellite communications and/or a WLAN module for wireless
communication and a IRF means that handles infrared type communications.
Each module is connected to an antenna. This list is not limitative and
is given here as way of example. The device A also includes an APMA
module to manage analog data, power and audio signals transmitted between
the device A and periphery devices connected by a wire to device A. This
APMA module provides, for this purpose, features that are here
schematically grouped into five modules: ICM module provided for signals
exchanges with a microphone, a HP module provided for signals exchanges
with a loudspeaker, a CA module provided for signals exchanges with Hi-Fi
headphones, a USBC module provided for signals exchanges from a USB
cable. Again, this list is not limitative and is given here as way of
example. These communication means are used during the searching phase
and for the transmission/reception of the command C, the geographical
position of the device and the indications relating to the image parts.

[0056] The device A also includes a tactile screen EC and means DA for the
detection of a touch and a sliding touch of a user on this screen. Thus,
as soon as a user touches the screen and slides his/her finger across the
screen in the direction of the receiver R, the means DA inform the
processor DBP which then implements the instructions of program Pr stored
in the memory M. The device A can also optionally comprise a camera C in
communication with the processor DBP. It also comprises a battery BAT
connected to the APMA module so that the module assures its management
(level, functioning default, . . . ).

[0057] The stack SW implements an operating system that allows for
interaction with various modules and electronic components of the HW
layer, which communicates with other protocol layers MW of higher level
called middleware. The features of device A and software applications are
then implemented by an APP applicative layer based on middleware level
layers.

[0058] Other architectures can be used to implement the method described
in relation to FIG. 1 without departing from the scope of the present
invention as long as the elements of the device A, whether from the layer
HW or a layer of the stack SW, are provided for storing the instructions
of the computer program Pr.